Syria - Adoption of a resolution at the Human Rights Council - Statement by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs

Table des matières

Paris, 23 August 2011

France welcomes the adoption by the Human Rights Council of a new resolution on the human rights situation in Syria. This resolution, which sends a message of firmness and unequivocally condemns the crackdown in Syria, was adopted by a large majority of the Human Rights Council’s member States. It reflects the international community’s growing concern in the face of the crimes committed by the Syrian regime against its own population.

France had campaigned in support of convening this new special session of the Human Rights Council on Syria, which follows on from the one held on April 29, 2011, and in support of the adoption of a substantial resolution. In this respect, France notes that four Arab countries (Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar) also supported the petition to convene this special session and voted in favor of this resolution.

This text contains positive elements in line with the recommendations formulated by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in its report on the violations perpetrated by the Syrian regime. It urges the Syrian regime to put an immediate end to the brutal crackdown that it’s perpetrating. It notably established an international independent commission tasked with investigating the crimes that have been committed, some of which could constitute crimes against humanity, and demands that those responsible for these crimes be brought to justice. It urges the Syrian regime to respect the freedom of the press and to allow unrestricted access to the humanitarian teams and supplies.

France is actively working in New York to ensure that the Security Council adopts a sanctions resolution against the Syrian regime.

Syria must cooperate fully with the United Nations. In this respect, the expulsion from the city of Homs by the Syrian authorities of a UN humanitarian mission is unacceptable.

The brutal crackdown and the human rights violations must stop immediately, the imprisoned opposition members must be released and a democratic transition must be implemented.